Council hails new homes as a 'major boost' for the district

The scheme to build 45 homes on Longfield Drive in West Bowling will benefit low income families, reduce the district's housing demand and boost the environment and local jobs market.

Building the range of two, three and four-bed homes began at the end of May.

The 5.6m scheme has been funded by the Government's Homes and Communities Agency local authority new build programme and by prudential borrowing.

Councillor Rev Paul Flowers, Bradford Council's executive member for culture, planning and housing, said: "This is a hugely important scheme for Bradford in many ways and is a significant step in creating affordable housing for families on a low income.

"It also enters new territory in terms of eco-friendly building which at the same time will cut down fuel and water costs for residents. The apprenticeships are a welcome addition which will give young people a step up into the construction industry."

Bradford Council is also working with its contractor Lovell to create employment opportunities in the building trade.

Two construction apprentices – one trainee bricklayer and a joiner – are now working on the scheme and the council and Lovell hope to create more apprenticeships in the future.

The scheme is the first in the Bradford district and West Yorkshire to develop houses to level six of the code for sustainable homes – which specifies that the materials used for loft and wall insulation allow no carbon emissions.

However, only 12 of the homes will meet this standard while 33 others will meet level four – which includes facilities to reduce the surface water run-off from the site.

The level six properties will have a communal biomass boiler to reduce heating costs and renewable energy technology, such as photovoltaic panels that convert solar radiation into electricity.

The level four homes will include solar powered heating.

Each property will also have a rainwater harvesting system which will reuse rain water in toilet-flushing systems.

The scheme is expected to be completed in March next year.